The Human Development Council getting the chance to meet with Saint John MP Rodney Weston recently as part of the federal government's pre-budget consultations.

Executive Director Randy Hatfield tells CHSJ News the group has a few key initiatives they would like to see addressed on a national level, such as a housing strategy and the return of the long form census.

He says addressing poverty is primarily done through a neighbourhood approach and you need to be in the ear of all three levels of government.

He went through the ice at Bay Crescent around 7:30 last night. Friends phoning for help and rescue crews saving him from the water. A police officer did go through the ice but both not seriously hurt.

On Friday, a driver wnt through the ice on the Kennebecasis River. He was rescued by crew on the Gondola Point ferry.